Family allegedly tries to bribe juror

Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 11:22 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 11:22 a.m.

A Houma man and woman are charged with trying to bribe a juror in their relative's drug case, authorities said today.

The father, James “Jim” Bonvillain, 75, of 512 Columbus St., was arrested Thursday, the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office said. The sister, Cheramie Bonvillain Jupiter, 43, was arrested today. They are both charged with jury tampering.

<p>A Houma man and woman are charged with trying to bribe a juror in their relative's drug case, authorities said today.</p><p>The father, James “Jim” Bonvillain, 75, of 512 Columbus St., was arrested Thursday, the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office said. The sister, Cheramie Bonvillain Jupiter, 43, was arrested today. They are both charged with jury tampering.</p><p>Travis Bonvillain, 43, of 483 W. Park Ave., Schriever, was set for trial Wednesday on drug charges, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>Members of his family offered money to a juror Tuesday in exchange for a not-guilty vote, the Sheriff's Office said.</p><p>Before the trial was to start, Bonvillain accepted a guilty plea and was sent to jail.</p><p>Jim and Cheramie Bonvillain are in the Terrebonne Parish jail, each in lieu of a $100,000 bond.</p><p>Deputies are also seeking Travis Bonvillain's niece, Tiara Wolfe, 24, to arrest her on bribery charges.</p><p>Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 876-2500.</p>